Life as I know it

Menu

Monthly Archives: April 2015

So at the beginning of the year I tasked myself with posting two blog posts per week with an eye to evaluate my progress mid-year and hopefully increase my posting frequency. Yeah, I’m not there yet. But I refuse to give up no matter how tired and lazy I become.

One tool I use, although not enough, is Evernote. I love that I can use it across platforms. I’m not sure anyone has fully tapped its versatility.

As soon as I post this blog I’m going to open my goals that I already set up in Evernote, evaluate where I am on each one, whether I want to keep each goal or not, and tweak the timetables on the ones I’m keeping. And maybe add one or two.

In the spirit of Earth Day, here’s a picture of my border collie, Jack, on a trail in Cane Ridge Park.

As my friends know border collies are near and dear to my heart. This is a legitimate rescue who takes in some of the more costly cases in our area. If you can spare a couple of dollars it would help so much.

The date designated by the ASPCA as Dog Fighting Awareness Day. Sadly, dog fighting is more prevalent than most of us realize. From major urban areas to the most rural of locales, criminals engage in this horrific blood sport.

The ASPCA compiled multiple resources on their website, but one article everyone should read is Ten Ways to Help End Dog Fighting. I agree with all the points, but there are three I find particularly important:

Support stronger laws-a good place to start learning about current legislation and particular needs is on the ASPCA’s advocacy page. You’ll find lists of pending actions, urgent needs, and recent victories. Not only should those running the dog fighting rings be prosecuted and incarcerated, laws regarding spectators need to be stronger as well, particularly spectators who bring children to these events.

Protect your pets-know who is in your neighborhood. Make sure your pets always have supervision even in your own fenced backyard. Just last week a local family’s puppy was shot and killed inside the family’s fence. Never, ever, ever rehome a pet free on Craigslist.

Educate others-share the resources on ASPCA with your friends, family, and neighbors. If you see suspicious activity on your street, let your neighbors know.

Together we can can make a difference in the lives of countless dogs forced to fight or die, but only if we #gettough.

Even though I try to remain positive here, sometimes someone commits evil. Sometimes we have to shed light on that evil act and talk about it.

Today is that time.

Last week a coward stacked some concrete blocks next to a locked privacy fence in my community, leaned over the fence and murdered Mia, a 7 month old pibble. This coward shot Mia in the face at point-blank range.

Mia’s 13-year-old human brother found her lifeless body in his backyard.

Mia’s Mom is not just your average dog owner, however. She’s an active volunteer and foster Mom for the group Nashville PITTIE.

And Nashville PITTIE has rallied around one of their own, raising a $1000 reward for anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Mia’s murderer. They’ve also set up a Facebook page called Justice for Mia to help rally support for Mia’s family and to share information about this tragedy.

All the local news stations have carried the story. You can read one of the stories on WKRN here.

I pray for peace and comfort for Mia’s family. I pray the murdering coward turns him/herself in.

Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight while you pray for #justiceformia.

He was so stinkin’ cute and so great with the kids. One family took a particular interest in him, both children and both moms visiting with him multiple times throughout the day. I just knew they would adopt him.

The family didn’t adopt him. In fact, he was on the urgent list meaning he would be at risk for euthanasia the next week if not adopted or pulled by rescue.*

Not gonna happen.

The following Saturday, Daniel and I drove to MACC and adopted Damon.

Gotcha!

And we’ve never looked back.

Damon has now completed two basic obedience classes and earned his Canine Good Citizen title. He plays ball with his Border Collie brother Jack. He and his German Shepherd mix sister Jade coexist peacefully most of the time. Can’t imagine our family without him.

*All four dogs on the urgent list that week made it out of the shelter. With the hiring of a new shelter director later in 2014 time limits on adoptable pets were abolished.